This one didn't make it onto my radar prior to its nomination for the YACybils, and it's books like this that really make me happy to be involved with the group. Whatever influence I have (and I judge this to be rather negligible, but nevertheless), I relish the idea that I get to tell you all about funny, sweet stories like Lurie's that might have just slipped past your (and my) notice.

So, 1977. Brooklyn, NY. Our heroine, April, has got a crush on the Bad Boy Rocker from school. She finds an unexpected in with him when she starts walking the "retarded" (unclear how - but I suspect autism) Larry from across to and from school. Bad Boy Rocker (Dominick) discovers that Larry's a genius drummer and soon April and Dom are going out. Sorta. April's potential bliss is endangered by an older brother (his annoying friends) and his attachment to a mofioso's daughter.

It's a slice of life, and subtle layers and depths that were rather unexpected with the bright pink cover (a cover that makes me shout "jazz hands!" for some unknown reason). Lurie was smart in her choices of pop references (it is continually disturbing to me that we still know John Travolta) as those of us who never experienced the 70's (yep, me) will either know the references anyway, or won't need to.

Fans of The Wednesday Wars (um, prolly more of the girl fans. But there's MOBSTERS! if you are good and focus on that, I bet you could get boys to pick it up despite the pinkness) will love this.

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About Me

A teen librarian in the Seattle area, who chairs the Cybils YA Lit category, serves on the YALSA Quick Picks 2013 committee, and enjoys cheddar and tea. Among other things. This a blog of only some of my, and only my, literary thoughts.